Automatic means for feeding cables



Jan. 17, 1928.

1,656,215 'H. W. MCDONALD ET AL AUTOMATIC MEANS FOR FEEDING CABLES 1925 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed July 13 3 Wm MW, .5 5 e n w M n W A NYRMW M .3 A5 #562 M J U 5 MN w Jan. 17, 1928. 1,656,215

H. W. M DONALD ET AL AUTOMATIC MEANS FOR FEEDING CABLES 3 0 M r 0 mm a y M N: m m m V a fl mm M m Q J MMM M W a 40 S H568 M 4 m Q 7 5 Filed July 13, 1925 t 2 6w T. M :1 g E o r lfillk P. LFEFES 1d: h 11$ P mm W R h@ a n ma N0 I. ill aw \B U U mlm a-Mil I JJYJI lulu llllll Q r 1 M wmwnwm uw @\4 m \m 3? EZJU U NW T m w 0M wqemm v8 b 0% Qw .0 N MW: AW, N N z Jan. 17, 1928.

H. w. MCDONALD ET AL. 1656215 AUTOMATIC MEANS FOR FEEDING CABLES Filed July 1:5, 1925 4 eets-Sheet 3 mummy #FJHIHlylllllllllllllllflll|lllllllllllllllllfllllllllllIllllllllllllllllllllilllIlllilli v l'nvezzZora HARRY m M UNALD 3 [man A W01.

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H. W. M DONALD ET AL AUTOMATIC MEANS FOR FEEDING CABLES d July 13, 1925 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 J22 Wen 2021s Ila/M Y W M'flomun id": 791F5 5 res I HARRY W. MCDONALD,F MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA; CHARLIE MCDONALD, OF HOIS- INGTOII, KANSAS; AND EDGAR A. WOLF AND RUDOLPH F. STANEK, OF MORRIS- TOWN, MINNESOTA,'ASSIGNORS, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, TO HARRY W. MCDON- A'LD, OF MORRISTO'WN, EIINNESOTA.

AUTOMATIC MEANSFOR FEEDING CABLES.

Application filed July 13, 1925. Serial No. 43,248.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in automatic means for feeding cables and more particularly relates to such a'device adapted for use in conjunction with the rocking or walking beam of a drilling machine, such as. are commonly em ployed in drilling oil wells and the like.

Drilling machines or apparatus such as are commonly used for drilling oil wells and particularly of the impact type, usually employ a;cable for supporting and operating the drill tool or bit, which is adapted to drill into. the ground by impacting therewith as a result of the oscillating or rocking movement of the walking beam of the apparatus. The drill cable, as itis commonly termed, must, therefore, be let out or, fed from the walking beam at a rate of speed depending upon the speed at which the bit can cutfor drill through the particular formation. encountered. Such feeding of the drill cable is usually accomplished by the employment of a manually operated device known as a temper-screw, which usually is mounted upon the walking beam, and which must be constantly manipulated by an operator during the drilling operation of the apparatus.

The above described method of manually feeding the drill cable has been found objectionable for various reasons and it is, therefore, desirable that means he provided for auton'iaticall'y feeding the cable, a predeteri'nined distance or amount for each stroke of the walking beam.

The novel and improved automatic means for feeding cables featured in this invention is particularly adaptable for use on walking beams to automatically feed the cable therefromduring the operation of drilling'a. hole or well; The feeding mechanism comprises a cable-gripping device consist- .ing of two endless chains which are mounted upon the feeding end of the walking beam and are arranged to engage each other and to grip the cable therebetween, so that when the chains are actuated or moved, the cable will simultaneously be fed therefron'i to lower the drill or bit into the well. The

mechanism provided for actuating the cablegripping chains is so arranged that upon each downward movement or stroke of the feeding end of the walking beam the chains will automatically be rotated a predetermined distance, thercby automatically feed ing the drill cable a distance commensurate with the rotation of the two chains. -The feeding mechanism is also mounted entirely upon the walking beam and the support therefor, and is operated by the rocking movement of the beam and therefore does not require any additional power to operate it. y a

The particular object of the invention, therefore, is to provide an improved automatic means for feeding cables, and more specifically relates to such a device adapted for use to automatically feed the drill-supporting cable of an ordinary drilling apparatus.

Other objects of the invention will appear from the following description and the ac, companying drawings and will be pointed out in the annexed claims.

In the drawings there has been disclosed a I structure designed to carry out the various ob]ects ot the invention, but it is to be understood that the invention is not confined to the exact features changes may be made within the scope or the claims which follow.

in the accon' panying drawings il'orming part. of this specification; v i F ignre ,1 is a view in side elevation showing the invention applied to a rocking beam such as are used on well-drilling machinery; Figure 2 is a. sectional plan View on the hne 22 of Figure 1 showing the means provided for varying or adjusting thefeed of the cable;

Figure 3 is a vertical detail sectional View on the line 3-3 of Figures 1 and 2-;

Figure 4 is an enlarged side elevation of the device as mounted upon a rocking beam; Figure 5 is'a sectional plan view on the line 5 5 of Figure 4:; a Figure 6 is a sectional plan view on the line 66 of Figure 4, showing the means shown as variousprovided for controlling the automatic feedmg of the cable; 7

Figure 7 is a side elevation of a drllllng I machine and derrick, showing the invention applied 'to theirooklng beam of the drilling machlne;

Figure 8 is a'detail'sectional view on the line 8 8 of Figure 9 showing the means;

provided for gripping the cable; v

Figure-9 is a sectional plan View on the line 9+9 of Figure 9; p p

F igure 10 is a sectional view on the line 1010 'of Figure 8; a I Figure ll'is an enlarged detail sectional .view showing how the cable'- is clamped be tween the movable chain sections;

Figure 12 1s asectional plan line 12-42 of lii ure 1'1, and f p V 1 Figur'e'l3 is a detail'view showinga' por- View on the tion ofone of the clamping chains. I In the selected"embodiment of the invention here'show'n there is" illustrated a walkingibe'am 16," such as is commonly employed in well drilling machinery forfope'rating'the 'tool' or bit.* -The beam preferablyconsists of a pair of barssecuredtogether in spaced relation'by means of spacing blocks or channels l7' as shown in Figure -5. Abearin'g bracket 18 is secured to the lower-race of the beam 16 by" suitable bolts 19, and is adapted to be seated in a bearing cap 21. mounted-upon and-secured to a standard or,"

supporting post 22 as shown in Figure 1. A connectingro'd 23-operat1vely connects one end of" thebeain-16 with'the crank pin'Q t' mounted in the usual bullwheel 25 'ofadrill ing machine 26,- as shown in Figure 7; When the bull wheel 25'is rotated, a rocking beam--16 as'is common in structu'res of this type. The-automatic:feeding means forming the subject matter of the invention is mounted upon the iouter e'n'dof the walking beam and preferably comprises a pair of endless chains 27 and-'28, .rotatably mounted thereon and havin xadiacent sectionsthereof' ada )ted to e: v l engage each other and to securely grip orclamp the cable therebetweenl'(see Fi 1,8 andll). m

The main drive chain 27 is mounted upon a i drive sprocket 29 rotatably mounted upon a short stud or shaft 31 mounted in bearings 32 and'33, terminally provided on the extent 'si'on's'34 of a bracket-35 secured tothe feeding end "of the Walking beam b'y'nie ans of riv'e-ts A pair ofjidler rollers 37 and 38 are mounted inithe bracket 35 and over which the mainffeeding chain 27 passes as shown in V Figure 8." A"'run-way' 39, preferably in tegr'alwiththe bracket 35, is-intcrposed be "tween the rollers '37 and-38 to provide a 'backing or support for theeffec'tive cablegripping portion ofthe chain. f The lower screws 4:2 (see Figure 8).

I lhe complementary cable-'grlpping cha n;

- pivot pins L9, which preferably is adjustably 'adjustingthe complementary chain 28' with chain 2'7 so; as to adapt thefc'able-grippingf means for cables of various sizes. I?

'mentary'chain 28, is adapted -to be oscillated fore, the compiem'entary chain 28, in opera Ipivotal-ly connected to the bracket t5ftby Y or grip end 57 thereofwill be forcibly held .a against theside'of the beam 1cma result of' 7 the bearing point-at the'opposite end there-if the-adjusting screw 55. WVhen the grip porj- -t10n57 of the lever 53 is moved upwardly -v'eniently swung to: the dotted linefposition 'two chain's. The'bracket supporting tlTei videcl 'with an overhanging ,hook or portion,

drill cable and the adjacent vertical portion of the main" drive chain 27, The bracket 45 idler roller 38 is preferably mounted in bear- I ing blocks ll, which preferably "are adjustably mounted in; suitable guides in ,thQj. bracket 35 and-areadapted -to be locked in adjusted position-by means of adjusting A 28 is preferably mounted upon" a pair foff idler sprockets 43'rotatively mounted upon studs or pins ltborne 'by'a bracket tfiywhich is provided withlugs {t6 and Q7, whereby it maybe pivotally'connected to an .intermediatesupporting member 4:8 by means of mounted upon'the bracket 35 by means of 7. ad ustmg screws 51, as shown in F gure I The I ad usting screv'vs 51 provide means for v relation :to the veiftica'lfsection of the dri'vel.

The bracket 5,*supporting the comple-fl upoirthe'pivot -pins-49from"the full to; the dot-ted'line position'in' Figure 9,"so that the v a drill cab'le' 52 may conveniently be inserted]; i between the two adjacent gripping portions of the; chains 27i a-nd 28,] The ineans provided 'for locking the, bracket 45' and,--there tive position, assho'wnin full line in F igur'ef, 9, preferably consists of. alocking' leverq53 means oflinks'54iand an adjustingscrewbii) i One end of the lever53 is adapted toengage a hook 56'forme d in the bracket 35 w hereby' M the bracket 4c5maybesecurelylockedto' the bracket 35 as shownin Figure 9. Thelver f 53 is so if'orined that when it is in'th'e' posif tion shown 'in'full' lines (Figure 9)the'out'e-r I 10.5

of being out of gninent withthe pivot. pins 58 conn'ectm'g' the leverto tlle'linlisfi l and awayffrom' the beam 16, the opposite' end thereof may. be disengaged from the hook 56 after which th'e bracket 45' may be con- 1 5: shown" in Figure and the dril'ljcable 52in f sertedi between or removed from between the complementary chain 28', is linreferablyjpro- 59 adapted to engage the upper fa'cefof' the 1 bracket 35; thereby'to take upsomeYof-the down 'va-rd thrust exerted against the bracket 35, when'the chain '28 is clamped against the? is also provided with a run-way 61 adapted to'rec'eivethe vertical portion of the-chain 98 adjacent the vertical section of the drive chain 27, so that when the two chains are operatively connected together as shown in Figure-s 8 and 9, the adjacent vertical sections thereof will be supported by the run-ways 39 and 61, and will thereby be prevented from spreading and will securely clamp the cable therebetween substantially the full length of the adjacent vertical sections, as particularly shown in Figure 8.

The means provided for intermittently actuating the drive chain 27 preferably consists of a drive mechanism mounted adjacent the bracket 18 forming the supporting means for the walking beam 116, as shown in Figures 4, and A worm wheel 62 is mounted upon and secured to the drive sprocket 29 and is adapted to inter-mesh with a worm 63 secured to the shaft 6st having one end rotatably mounted in a thrust bearing 65 secured to one of the side members of the walking beam 16, adjacent the sprocket 29, and its opposite end similarly mounted in a bearing bracket 66, also cured to the side member of the walking beam.

1' 1 bevel gear 67 is secured to the end of the shaft 6% adjacent the bearing 66 and intermeshes with a similar pinion 68 provided on a gear wheel 69, as particularly shown in Figure 5. A small pinion 71 is also provided on the gear 69 adapted to mesh with a similar gear 72 rotatably mounted upon a shaft 73 which is supported by the side members of the beam 16. The gear wheel 69 also meshes with apinion 7st preferably integrally formed upon a ratchet wheel 75, which also is rotatably mounted upon the shaft 73. -A collar 76 may be secured to the shaft 73 to retain the gear wheel 72 and the ratchet wheel 75 in their proper positio'ns thereon. A relatively smaller ratchet wheel 77 is secured to the gear wheel 72 as shown. These two ratchet wheels 75 and 77 are adapted to be selectively engaged by a pair of rack bars 78 and 79, as shown in Figure 4:.

The rack bars or oscillatable ratchet driving members 78 and 7 9 are mounted upon a pin 81 secured to the upper forked end portion 82 of a threaded stud 83, mounted on a threaded sleeve 84, rotataloly mounted on a bracket 85, secured to the upright supporting post 22, upon which the walking beam 16 is mounted. An annular flange 86 is provided upon the upper end of the sleeve 84 adapted to be seated in a recess provided in the bearing bracket 85, thereby to lock the bearing sleeve Set against longitudinal movement. A retaining collar 87 is secured to the upper face of the bearing bracket 85, by means of bolts 88, and has a key member 89 fixedly mounted therein adapted to engage a key-way 91 provided in the threaded stud 83 as shown in Figures 1,

2 and 3. The purpose of the key 89 and the key-way 91 is to prevent the stud 83 from relatively rotating when the threaded sleeve 84 is rotated in its bearings, thereby causing the stud 83, and therefore the rack bars 78 and 79, to be relatively raised or lowered each time the threaded sleeve S-i is rotated. The sleeve 84 may be conveniently rotated by means of a crank 92 secured to the operating rod 93, which is connected to'the up right shaft 94: by means of a universal joint or connection 95 as shown in Figures 1 and A pinion '96 is secured to the shaft 9-1 and meshes with a gear 97 secured to the threaded sleeve 84 so that when the shaft 9% is rotated, a rotary movement will be im parted to the sleeve 8% with the resultant raising and lowering of the threaded stud or stem 83 mounted therein, and, therefore, the rack bars 78 and 79. The crank 92 may be so arranged and mounted that the raising and lowering of the rack bars may be conveniently performed by an operator standing upon the ground adjacent the drilling machine.

hen the rack bar 78 is in engagement with its complementary ratchet wheel T53, as shown in Figure 1, a rotary movement will be transmitted to the ratchet wheel 75 at each stroke of the walking beam, or each time the feeding end thereof is moved downwardly from the full to the dotted line position shown in Figure 1. Such relative movement of the ratchet wheel 75 upon the shaft 73 will be caused as a result of the teeth of the ratchet and also of the rack bar being so shaped that when in engagement with each other shown and the feeding end of the walking beam is moved downwardly the ratchet wheel will substantially roll in the rack bar, thereby causing it to be rotated upon the shaft 73, which in turn will cause the gear wheel 69 to be rotated in the opposite direction as a result of it being in mesh with the pinion 74 secured to the ratchet wheel 75. Such rotation of the gear wheel 69 will transmit a rotary movement to the worm shaft 68 as a iesull, of its connection therewith through the beveled pinion 68 and gear 67, thereby causing the drive sprocket 29 to be rotated with the resultant rotation of the drive chain 2?. Upon the upstroke of the feeding end of the walking beam the teeth of the ratchet wheel will slide over the teeth in the rack bar until the beam starts its next downward stroke when the ratchet wheel will again be rotated as a result of its connection with the rack bar 78.

By this novel arrangen'icnt it will readily be seen that no-additional power will be required to operate the cable-feeding mechanism, as such operation accomplished. en tirely by the rocking movement of the walking beam. By relatively raising or lowering the rack bar 78, by adjusting the position of the stud 83 in the threaded sleeve 8-1, more or less teeth may be caused to engagethe ratchet wheel, thereby increasing or decreas ing the amountof rotation of the ratchet wheel andlthereforethe cable-feeding chains 27 and 28.

The purpose of the rack bar 79 and ratchet wheel 77 is to increase the feed of the drill cable. l Vhen the high speed rack bar 79 is in engagement with the ratchet wheel 77 as shown in Figure l, the slow speed rack bar 78 will be moved out of engagementwith its complementary rack'or ratchet 75 as shown, thereby causing the ratchet 77 to be similarly intermittently rotated at each stroke of the walking beam.

Referring to Figure 5 it will be noted that ,the ratchet wheel 77 is secured to the gear power to the drive shaft sprocket upon which, hen the high the chain 27 is mounted. speed ratchet 79 and ratchet wheel 77 are functionmg, the speed of the worm shaft 6 1 will be considerably increased as a result of the relatively larger gear wheel 72 operating the pinion 71 and, therefore, the beveled p1nion 68. lVhen the slow speed rack 78 1s op- I eratively connected to the ratchet wheel 75,

as shown in Figure 1, the speed of the worm shaft 64' will be relatively slower as a result of the power being transmitted from the relatively small pinion'7l to thegear Wheel 69, which will cause the beveled pinion 68,

' and therefore the worm shaft 64:, tobe rotated at a relatively slower speed. By relatively raising or lowering the racks 78 and 79 the feed of they drill cable may be varied and" adjusted to suit practically all conditions of drilling,as, for instance, when drilling in a very hard formation the feed of the drill may be extremely slow, and when drilling in a soft formation suchas sand, the feed of the cable will be relatively faster.

Means are provided for selectively mov:

ing the racks 78 and 79 in and out of driving connection withtheir complementary ratchet wheels 7 5 and 77. 1 Such means preferably consists of a hand lever 98'1nou'nted upon the lower end of the high speed ratchet bar 79.

The slower speed ratchet 7 8 isprovided with a quadrant 99 adapted to be engaged by a dog 101, mounted upon the operating lever 98, as shown in Figures 1 and 4:. A tension spring 102 has one endlconnected to the rack bar 78 and its other end connected to a right-angled bracket 103 havingits lower end secured to the forked'head 82 of the synchronously therewith. I adjusting screws 51 and the adjustment of the threaded stud 55 in thebracket4 5, the

threaded stud 83 as shown. This spring tends to pull the rack bar towards the ratchet wheels 7 5 and 77, so that when the operating r lever 98 is operated either oneor the other of the rack bars will be yieldably moved intodriving connection with its complementary rack, as shown in F igures 1 andt. A latch 10a is pivotally mounted upon'the head 82 of driving connection with the ratchets 75. and 77.

The gravity operable latch 104 is provided'with a shoulder 120, adaptedto abut a corresponding shoulder, 121 of the downwardly from its position in Fig. 6., This movement lowers the quadrant and throws racks 78 and 79- away from wheels and 77 to non-operative positions. When it is desired to move rackT 9 to non-feeding po sition, the lever detent 101is released, and the lever forced downwardly, after which the detent is engaged in a lower notch as in Fig. 1. The spring 102 will draw rack 78 to ratchet wheel engaging position.

Another feature. of this invention .resides inthe novel construction of the linksfrom which the two feed chains 27 and 28 are constructed. By reference to Figures 11, 12

quadrant 99 when the lever 98 is forced s and 13 it will benoted thateach link is provided witha recess or groove 105, which is so arranged thatv a bore or. socket will be provided between the adjacent vertical sections of. the two chains 27; and 28' adaptedto recelve the drill cable 52 as particularly shown 7 in Figures 11 and .12. r The grooves or recesses 105 nrthe links are soformed that when the links are aligned between the two. 05

run-ways 39' and 61 as shown in F igure -ll, the aligned grooves will provide a wave-like bore in which the drill cable will be. securely clamped.

The links ofeac'h chainarealso provided with a plurality of spaced teeth 106 adapted to inter-mesh with similar teeth provided upon the opposed links of its complementary chain, thereby locking; together the adjacent vertical sections of the feed; chainsfor operation as a unit, when traveling between the run-ways39 and 61, as shown. 'Anti-h friction rollers are provided upon the connecting pins 108 between the chain links to take up the outward thrust exerted against the run-ways 39 and 61 when the cable is lit clampedbetween the vertical chain sections during the feeding operation of the cable. By means of this novel chain construction it will be readily seen that when the cable is clamped or gripped between the two vertical sections of the chains 27 -and'28,it will be securely held therebetwleen's'o as to move By means of the means for feeding connection with the walking beam of a drillmg machine as shown in the accompanying distance between the adjacent vertical sections of the chains 2? and 28 may be adjusted and varied to suit the size or diameter of the drill cable used.

In the operation of this novel automatic ea les, and when used in d 'awings, the drill cable passes from one oi the drums of the drilling machine 26, as shown in .Fi ure 7, over a sheave 109, mounted on top or the usual derrick 111; thence downwardly therefromand between the two feed chains 27 and 28, and into the bored hole in the ground where its lower end is secured to the rope-socket or drill stem of the usual boring tool or bit (not shown). This feeding mechanism is particularly adapted for use in connection with the well-known mud-laden fluid system of drilling, wherein a mud-laden fluid; is delivered to the bottom of the well or hole by means of a flexible or non-flexible steel water line or hose.

7 In Figure 7 the use of a flexible steel water line'112 is shown to deliver/the fluid to the bottom of the well. This water line passes over a sheave 113 mounted upon a bracket 11 i secured to the feeding mechanism particularly shown in Figures 1 and 8. The steel water line is mounted upon a drum 115 which is adapted to feed the water line into the well simultaneouslywith the feeding of the drill cable 52.

When starting to bore a. hole or well in the ground the drilling tool is first spuddedin or sunk into the ground in'the usual manner until it has been lowered to a point substantially below the surface of the ground level. The automatic feeding mechanism is usually not employed during the spudding-in operation of the drill tool, but as soon as the tool has been lowered to the positionabove described, the drill cable 52 will be clamped between the two feed chains 27 and 28 as hereinbefore described, after which the connecting rod 23 is operatively connected to the crank pin 24: of the bull wheel 25, and the walking beam 16 actuated to operate the drill tool in the usual manner. One of the rack bars is then moved into engagement with its complementary ratchet wheel, thereby causing each downward stroke or movement of the feeding end of the walking beam to transmit an intermittentfeeding movement to the drill cable. Such automatic feeding of the cable may be varied while the machine isin operation, to suit the particular formation of the material being drilled. By thus enabling the operator to increase or decrease the feeding of the drill cable while the machine is in operation, a great saving of time is effected as compared with the present method of manually feeding the drill cable by the use of the well-known temper-screw now commonly employed for such purposes. Also by firmly gripping the cable between the two feed chains 27 and 28, the danger of injuring the cable is considerably minimized;

The feeding mechanism may be employed for various purposes where it is desired to automatically feed. a cable, but it is particularly adapted for use in connection with drilling machines of ordinary construction, and which, when mounted thereon, will convert such an apparatus of the hand-operated type into an automatic feeding apparatus, which will be positive and fool-proof in operation.

Having thus described our invention What we claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is: v

1. A cable feeding means, comprising flexible members movable in unison, said members having transversely concaved gripping surfaces, undulating in direction of feed, cooperable for gripping a cable.

A cable feeding means, comprising belt members interlockingly cooperable for movement in unison, and having concaved and undulating surfaces cooperabl'e for gripping a cable. and means for operating one of the members to drive the other.

3. A cable feeding means comprising cooperating belts having gripping surfaces between which the cable is gripped, and means for intermittently operating said belts to feed the cable.

-2l. A cable feeding means comprising flexible traveling members between which the cable is gripped, and means for automatically operating said members, said traveling members inter-lockable to prevent independent movement.

5. A cable feeding means comprising flexibletraveling members between which the cabie gripped, and means for automatically operating said members, said traveling members having a series of intermeshing teeth to prevent independent movement.

' 6. A cable feeding means comprising cooperating belts having interlockable links provided with gripping surfaces adapted to engage and feed a cable, and means for op erating said belts.

; 7. A cable feeding means comprising cooperating flexible members having undulating gripping surfaces adapted to engage and feed a cable, and. meansfor operating said members.

8. In a well-digging apparatus. an oscillating beam, a drill-supporting cable, means mounted on said beam for engaging and feeding said cable and mechanism actuated by the oscillation of said beam for operating said feeding means.

9. In a well-digging apparatus, an oscillating beam, a drill-supporting cable, traveling members having comparatively long gripping surfaces between which said cable supporting cable, cooperatingbelts mounted operate said cabl 13. A well-drilling apparatus, including as gripped and held, and mechanism actu-' ated-by the oscillation of sa d-beamfor op-' erating said feeding means. 10.;[1 well-digging apparatus comprising an oscillating beam, a drill-siippo'rting cable,

belts'mounted on said'b eam and having coopera'tmg gripping jaws between which the cableis held-and fed, and vmechanism for versely of said beam,'said belts'havingg;co-

operating'jaws between which the cable is gripped and held, and mechanism operated intermittently by the Oscillation o'fsaid beam for operating said belt. I

12-. A Well-drillingapparatus including an oscillating beam and a ratchet device adapted to intermittently flexible members to feed the an oscillating beam, Ia drill-supporting cable, cooperatingbelts mounted on said.

beam and having undulating gripping surfaces between which the cable is held and fed and a ratchet device adapted intermittently to operate said belts to feed, the cable when the beam is oscillated. I

14. A well-drilling apparatus 'includinga rocking beam and 'a drill-supporting cable. flexible members mounted on said beam and having cooperating gripping surfaces beto prevent independent movement of said members, and a ratchet device adapted automatically to intermittently operate said members to feed the cable when said beam is rocked.

15. A well-drillingapparatus including a rocking beam and support therefor, a dr1ll-" on said beam and having undulating'and oscillating beam and a support therefor, a

drill-supporting cable, cooperating flexible members mounted on said beam and having gripping surfacesbetween which theeab-le is gr pped and fed, a ratchet deviceforauto- .i'nat'ieally operating said flexible members to intermittently feed the cable, said ratchet device compr" ingv a pairof ratchet wheels mounted on'said beam and a-pair of rack a drill-supporting cable, cooperating flexible members: mounted i on said beam and having gripping surfaces bet'wee'n' which the cable'is held and fed, and

f {the beam having .incliuling a rplurality of driving therewith for obtaining ments of the ratchet wheels.

members, andfmeans for selectively moving said rack bars into driving connection with said ratchet wheels whereby, cupon osc1llation of. said beam,' sa1.d flexible members Wlll j ated to vary the feed of the cable; .7

17. A well-drilling apparatus comprising be automatically and intermittently "operan oscillating beam-and asupport therefor," V) a drill-supporting cable, link belts mounted c on said beam and having cooperating grip- .ping surfaces between which the cable is heldand fed, a ratchet device for intermit- {so tently operating said. belts to feed thecable comprising ratchet wheels mounted on said,

' beam and complementary rack'bars mounted on said beam. support and engaging said wheels, and means for relativelyadjusting feed of the cable.

the 'positionfof said rack bars to varythe j 18.; A Well-digging apparatus, comprising gripping chains, separately engageable throughout a cable-gripping zone, for causing chainrmovemen't in unison,

--an ,oscillatable beam, con' plemental cablesupported'upon' I their links int'erlockinglyi said chains adapted: to surround, grip, su -4 port and fe edthe cable, spreading movements ofthechains in the cable'gri pping zone for positively maintains ing the interlocked relation of the links, and

of the bolts. 7 i

19. A well diggingapparatus, comprising an. oscillatabl'e beam, complementa-l cablen'iechanism forintermittently operating one .1;

r V Kim) Y;

means to prevent -igripping chains, having their links inter -loekingly en'gageable throughout a cablei gripping zone for obtaining movement of said chains in unison, the-chains adapted to surround, grip andfeed the cable, guides to prevent c-sp'reading movements of the chain's inthe cable-gripping zone for maintainingthe interlocked relation of, the links,

mittably Iconi'iected with one ofthe chains,

wheels of dilferent diai'neters, and

driving members, mounted independently of the'beam, one for each select ve feed move- 11.0" 'mechanism' for imparting feed iii'ioveinents to one of the chains, said mechanism comprising-feed. gearing upon the beam transconcaval gr pping surfacesadapted to grip and feed the cable, a ratchet device for intermittently operating said belts to feed the ,cablewhen said beam is rocked, said ratchet device comprising ratchet wheels moun'ted wheel, engageahle 12o 20-. Aiwell-digging apparatus con'iprising "an oscillatable beam, complemental cable-g.

, gripping chain's, each independently sup -v ported up'onthe beamJhaving their links in terlockingly engageable throughout a cable pg'ripping Zone for driving one chain by the other, means to prevent spreading move-' ments of the'chains 1n the cable-gripping zone, for positively maintaining the inter raiichet ll .corrc- ,spon d-i ng oscill'at able toothed ratchet wheel lockingly engageablo throughout a cablegripping zone for chain movement in unison, said links adapted to surround and retain, grip and feed the cable, means to prevent spreading movements of the chains in the cable-gripping zone, for positively maintaining the interlocked relation of the links, and a selective feed rate controlling mechanism transmittably connected with one of the chains operable by the rocking motions of the walking beam.

22. In a device of the class described, a walking beam, a cable feed mechanism upon said walking beam, including a plurality of feed-mechanism driving ratchet wheels, of different diameters, and corresponding toothed ratchet driving wheel members mounted independently of the beam, each alternately engageable with a corresponding ratchet wheel, for obtaining different lengths of feed movement, for the feed mechanism.

In a device of. the class described, a walking beam, a cable feed mechanism upon said walking beam, including a plurality of feed me hanism driving ratchet wheels of different diameters, and corresponding oscillatable toothed ratchet driving wheel members, mounted independently of the beam, alternately engageable with a corresponding ratchet wheel, for obtaining selective feed movements of the feed mechanism, and means for micrometrically adjusting said ratchet wheel driving members, relative to the wheels for obtaining greater or less degrees of driving engagement of the members with respective wheels.

24. A device of the class described comprising a walking beam having substantially a fixed degree of oscillation, cable feeding instrumentalities upon the beam, including a plurality of ratchet wheels having difierent diameters, and corresponding ratchet driving members mounted independently of the beam, one for each wheel, each member having teeth engageable with the teeth of the ratchet, said driving members alternately adjustable with reference to the wheels, for permitting a greater or less number of the teeth to be engaged therewitlnwhereby although the degree of oscillation of the walking beam is fixed, the degree of movement of the feeding device may be selectively length ened or shortened.

25. A cable feeding means, comprising complemental flexible traveling members cooperable for gripping. a cable, said members interlocl-zingly engageable in a gripping zone for travel in unison, and guides associated with, the members throughout the gripping zone to prevent spreading moyement of said. members.

i 26. A cable, feeding means, comprising flexible traveling members cooperable for gripping a cable, means on the members interlockable for obtaining positive driving of one member by the other, said members adapted to enclose, support and feed a cable, guide means for positively maintaining an interlocked relation of the members in the feeding zone, and means for operating one of the members to drive the other.

27. A well-digging apparatus, including a walking beam having a substantially constant degree of oscillative movement, cable feeding means upon the beam, mechanism transmittably connected with the feeding means and operable by rocking movements of the beam, including a driving ratchet Wheel, and a toothed pawl cooperating with the teeth of the ratchet wheel, said pawl adjustable tangentially of the wheel to engage a greater or less number of teeth therewith.

28. A well-drilling machine including a walking beam, and a drill cable-supporting and feeding device upon the beam, comprising two link belts independently mounted and adjacently disposed, the links of opposite runs of the belts adapted to interlock in a cable-gripping zone for causing one belt to be moved by and in unison with the other, said belts adapted to cooperate for gripping the cable from opposite sides, whereby positive gripping and feeding action is obtained at opposite sides of the belt.

29. A well-drilling machine including a walking beam, and a drill-supporting and feeding device upon the beam, comprising two belts independently mounted and adjacently disposed, the links of opposing runs of the belts adapted to interlock in a cablegripping zone for causing one belt to be moved by and in unison with the other, said belts adapted to cooperate for gripping the cable from opposite sides, whereby positive gripping and feeding action is obtained at opposite sides of the belt, and guide means for preventing spreading of the belts in the gripping zone.

30. A cable-feeding means comprising two endless link belts, having a portion of their runs cooperable for gripping and feeding a cable, one of said belts supported for movement toward or away from the other to permit of the lateral introduction of a cable therebetween, the belt links having teeth thereon intermeshable for causing the adjustable belt to be driven by the non-adjust able belt.

v 31; A dab1e fding malis comprising comg'ripping zone for-causing" the'adjustable b elt fiito'ward or away from the otherto permit,

"lateral introduction of. the cable "thej re bw j CHARLIE VMCDONALDQ V 4 tween, 'the links of each belt having teeth". V ,EDGAR'A. WOLF. theyedn intermesl mble throughout the cable Y 7 RUDOLPH F. STANEK.

' r v f 656,215

plinental link beltsihavingportibns cboperto be driven: by the nbn adjus'table belt. a'ble'for gripping andfeed'ing a cable, one of In Witness whereof; we have 'herunt I s-et' said belts'pi votally supported 01 movement our hands this 9th dayof July, 1925.

' HARRY W. 'MODONALD." 

